16 years ago, the Whistler Film Festival was born. It was an idea inspired by the love of film.

Since that time, over 1,000 filmmakers have presented their films to audiences in Whistler. In fact, WFF has over 1,700 Alumni who have been part of our story to date. Some have presented films at the Festival – several on multiple occasions. And some have participated on juries, in our industry Summit or in our talent programs. Many have come back and continue to evolve as filmmakers, and some have achieved critical success or are on their way.

WFF’s Alumni Spotlight focuses on select alumni, who continue to inspire us through their work, embody important voices in the cinematic landscape or who are shining examples of what the Whistler Film Festival is all about. WFF is committed to shining the spotlight on these filmmakers, their backgrounds, their work and their position on what filmmaking in the 21st century means to them.

For 2016, we shine the spotlight on 10 of our Alumni which films or projects at the festival:

Laura is a writer, producer, actor and director. Laura began her professional career in the Film and TV industry almost 15 years ago as an actor and has appeared in numerous TV Shows including Eureka, Almost Human and Arrow as well as films including the indie smash hit IT’S A DISASTER, where she worked alongside Julia Stiles and David Cross. Laura was nominated for a Leo Award in 2013 for her role in the web series, HITMAN 101. Laura’s production company Flat/Head Films was created in 2013 and has a number of projects in development including a TV Series called, HIT MOM.

Joe Balass

Compass Productions founder Joe Balass resides in Montreal where he works in both fiction and documentary. He has produced and directed a number of award-winning films and videos including: NANA, GEORGE & ME (1997), THE DEVIL IN THE HOLY WATER (2002) PARTING WORDS (2006) and BAGHDAD TWIST (2007). He expresses a very spontaneous blend of seriousness and humour in his approach to filmmaking. Balass is now in development on a new feature script with the author. He is also currently producing the feature-length, gender-bending drama VENUS with director Eisha Marjara.

Anthony brings a honed style of storytelling that transports viewers beyond geography to convey the feel of a place and it’s people. The founder of b4apres Media, he independently directed and produced the documentaries AZADI:FREEDOM and STAND which have both won numerous awards internationally while screening in over 30 countries. Anthony has worked with Switchback for a number of years and joined the team exclusively in 2013 for their first feature documentary SNOWMAN. In 2015 Anthony directed the award winning Salomon Freeski film ECLIPSE. Anthony is also a published freelance writer and photographer.

Kirsten Carthew

Kirsten Carthew is the director of The YK Doc Project, ABE & ALFRED and FISH OUT OF WATER. She has multiple writing credits which include the Brazilian feature film UMA LOUCURA DE MULHER (2016), directed by Marcus Ligocki and starring Mariana Ximenes. She is a former producer and journalist with CBC and has worked as a filmmaker and transmedia producer in Europe, the Middle East, Canada and the USA. In 2011 and 2012 Kirsten was nominated as a Wise Woman by the Status of Women Council for her role in co-founding two award-winning not-for-profit organizations devoted to outdoor adventure and environmental stewardship for youth in the Northwest Territories.

Michael Eklund

Michael Eklund is known for his constant devotion and disappearing into every role while radically transforming his look for each new character. Recent pivotal roles in film that include MR.RIGHT, THE CALL, INTO THE FOREST, ZOON, ERRORS OF THE HUMAN BODY and EADWEARD to name just a few. Past notable performances in film include THE DIVIDE, THE DAY, THE MAKING OF PLUS ONE and WALK ALL OVER ME. Michael’s work in these films have garnered him a host of accolades and awards for his riveting performances. Television appearances include guest starring recurring roles on WYNONA EARP, GOTHAM, BATES MOTEL Season 2, CONTINUUM, ALMOST HUMAN, ALCATRAZ, FRINGE, INTELLIGENCE, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.

Jem Garrard

Alumni since 2015
Director, Writer, Producer

Alumni Credits: ShortWork Jury Member (2016); Director, Writer, Producer THE WOLF WHO CAME TO DINNER (2015) (Winner, Canadian ShortWork Award for Best Screenplay)

Jem Garrard is a four time Leo award winning filmmaker with experience filming across the globe. After graduating from a four year film production degree in London, UK, she has spent the past six years directing and shooting music videos and documentaries in Vancouver, including GUNS TO MICS, THE PLAYGROUND, and THE WOLF WHO CAME TO DINNER, winner of WFF’s 2015 Best Canadian Short Screenplay. Jem has made official music videos for Ringo Starr, Young Galaxy, Bend Sinister and dozens of Canadian artists. Her official video for Linkin Park received a global MTV release.

A Partner in Eagle Vision, Canada’s leading Aboriginal-owned production company, Kyle Irving has produced numerous award- winning feature film and television productions, notably the Academy Award and Golden Globe winner (Best Actor – Philip Seymour Hoffman) and multi-nominee (including the Oscar for Best Picture) CAPOTE, directed by Bennett Miller; Robert Cuffley’s award-winning WALK ALL OVER ME, which premiered in competition at the Toronto International Film Festival where it was the first ever Canadian production bought by the Weinstein Company; Marshall Lewy’s BLUE STATE starring Oscar-winner Anna Paquin and released by MGM; and Tim Wolochatiuk’s WE WERE CHILDREN, a co-production with the National Film Board of Canada and APTN which has played at film festivals around the world.

David Ray

Vancouver-based David Ray is a passionate director with an original voice who combines a love of casting and performance with great attention to detail in the technical aspects of cinematography, elevating traditionally genre specific work with an artistic sensibility and breath-taking authenticity.
Ray’s feature length directorial debut was the dark comedy he also wrote and co-produced entitled FETCHING CODY, starring Jay Baruchel, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before travelling the world and being picked up by Showtime and Netflix (USA).

Jacob Tierney has worked as a professional actor since the age of six and starred in JOSH AND S.A.M., THE NEON BIBLE, RAINBOW, THIS IS MY FATHER, THE LIFE BEFORE THIS, and WALK ALL OVER ME. Jacob began his directorial career in 2002 with the comedic short film DAD, which he also wrote, produced and appeared in. His feature debut TWIST (2003), a modern take on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, was nominated for four Genies, and won for Best Original Song. He co-wrote his most recent project THE DEATH AND LIFE OF JOHN. F DONOVAN with director Xavier Dolan. The film stars hollywood heavyweights Natalie Portman, Susan Sarandon, Jessica Chastain, Kit Harington, Thandie Newton and more. Jacob’s other credits include PREGGOLAND (2014), the festival hit THE TROTSKY (09) and GOOD NEIGHBOURS (10), both of which have screened at the Whistler Film Festival. Jacob is attending the WFF with LOVESICK a project he produced and acted in. He is also co-creator, director, writer, and star of the hit series LETTERKENNY for Crave, recently renewed for its third season.

Lori Triolo

As an actor, Lori has also been busy in film, television and theatre. She received B.C.’s Best Actress Leo Award and Leading Actress Jessie Award nominations for her work on the big screen and stage. In the film and television arena, she has seen recurring roles on shows including BLACKSTONE, FRINGE, CONTINUUM, SMALLVILLE, SUPERNATURAL, THE 4400, ALICE, I THINK, COLD SQUAD, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, and DAVINCI’S INQUEST. In 2014, Lori was honored through the Vancouver chapter of Women in Film & Television with the Leadership in Education Award which recognizes excellence in the teaching of screen based media and creating opportunities for and providing mentorship to women.

Watch the 2015 Alumi Spotlight

The Whistler Film Festival Society is a charitable cultural organization dedicated to furthering the art of film by providing programs that focus on the discovery, development and promotion of new talent culminating with a must attend festival for artists, the industry and audiences in Whistler.